Bowers could give Bucs a lift after Clayborn injury

The Bucs lost top defensive end Adrian Clayborn to a year-ending knee injury during their Week Three loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Tampa Bay may have a reinforcement on the way.

According to the Tampa Tribune, 2011 second-round pick Da’Quan Bowers is “progressing steadily” in his return from a torn Achilles’ tendon. Bowers, who is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list, would be eligible to resume playing in football games in Week Eight.

“There is still a long ways to go, I’m still about four weeks away,” said Bowers. “Right now, I’m just taking it day by day. It’s up to coach Schiano and Mark Dominik at the end of the day, so we’ll just see what they decide.”

Bowers tore his right Achilles’ tendon in May after going down in the Bucs’ offseason program. He gave Tampa Bay’s defense a lift down the stretch as a rookie, registering 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the final five games.

For now, the Bucs will turn to former third-round Eagles bust Daniel Te’o-Nesheim at right defensive end to replace Clayborn.